PHILADELPHIA – Tom Gordon and Mariano Rivera were Yankees teammates for two seasons and the friendship they formed is very deep.

So strong, in fact, Rivera has told Gordon there will be space for him in Rivera’s under-construction house in Tampa.

“He said he has a room in Tampa for me,” said Gordon, now with the Phillies. “I can’t wait to get in.” Gordon, whose 20 saves heading into last night’s game were tied for second in the NL and four off the lead, credited the two seasons as Rivera’s setup man for helping him deal with the pressures of closing, something he did before joining the Yankees in 2004.

“To be around one of the best closers in the game really helped me a lot,” said Gordon, who retired the Yankees in order in the ninth inning Monday night to save the Phillies’ 4-2 victory.

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Kevin Reese doesn’t have much time in the big leagues but he is accustomed to the topsy-turvy Yankees universe.

“Around here, nothing surprises you,” Reese said when asked if he was surprised to be recalled yesterday when the Yankees sent Jose Veras to Columbus (Triple-A). “The first time was a little surprising.

Now you hope for it.” Joe Torre didn’t waste time using Reese, starting him in left field instead of slumping Melky Cabrera.

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With tomorrow an off day on the schedule and the battery of Jaret Wright and Kelly Stinnett not producing gems, Torre was asked if he would pair Jorge Posada with Wright tonight.

“With the off day it works for Jorge to have Wednesday and Thursday.

It will be more of a benefit to him,” Torre said.

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Following a weightroom workout, Randy Johnson dressed and left Citizens Bank Park to serve the first game of his five-game suspension . . .

Octavio Dotel will test his right elbow with a game of catch tomorrow, but it won’t be in Trenton as originally planned. Instead, Dotel will toss at Yankee Stadium under the supervision of the training staff. Dotel has been shut down from a rehab assignment due to triceps tendinitis in the elbow area that underwent Tommy John surgery a year ago . . . Carl Pavano’s return from elbow surgery to remove a bone chip continues today when he plays catch for the second time in three days.